EFFECT OF THE PROGESTAGEN PROMEGESTONE (R-5020) ON MESSENGER-RNA OF THE ESTRONE SULFATASE IN THE MCF-7 HUMAN MAMMARY-CANCER CELLS

Using reverse transcriptase polymernse chain reaction amplification it was possible to detect the presence of oestrogen sulphatase mRNA in d ifferent hormone-dependent (MCF-7, T-47D) ann hormone-independent (MDA -MB-231, MDA-MB-468) mammary cancer cell lines. The expression of this mRNA is significantly higher in T-47D and MDA-MB-231 than in the othe r cell lines, and a correlation of this expression with the enzymatic activities was observed The progestagen Promegestone (R-5020) can sign ificantly decrease the mRNA of the sulphatase in MCF-7 cells. As this progestagen can also inhibit the enzyme itself in the same mammary can cer cell line, it is suggested that for the decrease in the sulphatase activity not only the effect on the enzyme, but also the effect on tr anscriptional factor(s) which express this enzyme are involved. The pr esent data not only contribute to the knowledge of the mechanism of th e sulphatase activity, but also can open new possibilities in breast c ancer treatment.